You might think your current dishwasher has all the features you need, but it may be time for an upgrade. Like other appliances, dishwashers get new features and improvements almost every year. If you’re thinking about upgrading, you’ll find that today’s models come with some impressive technology that could make dishwashing easier than ever. The latest dishwashers offer features that can really change how you clean your dishes.
However, there’s a lot of marketing to sort through. Every major brand claims their dishwashers have the best features to make your life easier. While not every feature is necessary, some can truly make a difference. When shopping for a new dishwasher, be sure to pick one that has the best features for your needs. Here are our top recommendations right now.
Best Usability Feature: Wine Stem Holders
Most dishwashers include some kind of holder to keep your wine glasses in place, usually a simple plastic piece that braces the stem. While these are usually fine, Electrolux and Frigidaire dishwashers go a step further with soft-grip racks designed to securely hold your stemware. You just press the stem into the blue holder, and it gently wraps around, gripping it firmly.
During our evaluations, We didn’t observe any significant issues with broken stemware in general, but if you want extra peace of mind for your fragile glasses, Electrolux and Frigidaire models come with these specially designed grips without charging extra for them.
Best Overall Feature: Specialized Jets
Many dishwashers have the usual spray jets at the bottom, but some go further by including specialized jets for specific items, and I love this feature. For example, GE and Electrolux dishwashers have bottle wash jets. You can clip a baby bottle or water bottle onto them, and they’ll spray directly inside, ensuring the bottom gets thoroughly cleaned. Kenmore and Samsung have jets designed for casserole dishes—place the dish at the back of the bottom rack, and these jets will spray into the corners.
This is my favorite feature because it reduces the need for hand-washing—no more scrubbing bottles by hand. Plus, it’s highly specialized: if you regularly clean bottles or casserole dishes, this feature is incredibly useful, but if you don’t, you won’t need to worry about it.
The best part? Manufacturers don’t usually charge extra for these features; they come as helpful add-ons in mid-range to high-end dishwashers. If you want to cut down on hand-washing, look for a dishwasher with specialized jets.
Best Smart Upgrade: Dash Replenishment
Yes, internet-connected dishwashers are a thing now. Most of them allow you to check your cycle’s status remotely and send notifications when your dishes are done. While this sounds cool, many people run their dishwashers at night when there’s no rush to grab clean utensils. But there is one smart feature that truly stands out: Amazon Dash Replenishment.
Dishwashers from GE, Whirlpool, and LG offer this feature, which automatically orders new dishwasher detergent pods when you’re running low. The dishwasher tracks how many pods you’ve used and orders more when needed, so you never have to worry about running out.
While smart dishwashers from these brands are typically more expensive, this feature could be worth it if you like the convenience of staying stocked up without thinking about it. If you want your dishwasher to be at the cutting edge of technology, Dash Replenishment is a great option.
Best Use of Space: The Third Rack
If you often run out of space in your dishwasher, consider getting one with a third rack. Many manufacturers offer this feature, though these models are usually a bit more expensive than the standard two-rack dishwashers. The third rack is a small, extra rack at the top designed for silverware, small cups, and utensils.
Although it only holds smaller items, using the third rack for silverware frees up space on the bottom rack where the silverware basket usually goes. This gives you more room for larger dishes and allows for better organization when loading your dishwasher. It’s a smart solution for maximizing space and making your dishwasher more efficient.
Best Automation: Automatic Door Opening
Many people believe that opening the dishwasher door at the end of a wash cycle helps release steam, allowing dishes to dry better and reducing watermarks. Fortunately, newer models from brands like Bosch and Samsung can handle this task automatically.
Both Bosch and Samsung use fans to prevent steam from damaging your countertop when it’s released. Samsung’s AutoRelease Dry feature even opens the door automatically 5 to 15 minutes before the cycle ends. This feature helps save time and energy by allowing fresh air to enter, speeding up the drying process for your dishes. It’s a convenient way to enhance drying efficiency without any extra effort!
Honorable Mentions
Silence: High-end dishwashers from brands like Bosch are impressively quiet, with sound ratings as low as 38 decibels. If you were in the same room as one of these dishwashers while it was running, you wouldn’t even notice it. Many manufacturers prioritize quiet performance, and while these models often come with a higher price tag, they can be a great option for those living in small spaces or who are sensitive to noise.
Infolight: Some of the quieter dishwashers, like those from Bosch and Electrolux, feature an Infolight that shines on the floor to indicate when the dishwasher is running. This is especially useful since they operate so quietly, and it can even entertain your pets!
Easy Rack: Certain LG dishwashers offer an adjustable upper rack that can be easily raised or lowered with a simple lever. While not a flashy feature, this convenience is particularly helpful when you need to fit tall pots and pans on the bottom rack one load and tall glasses on the top rack the next.
ComfortLift: The ComfortLift feature from Electrolux’s parent company AEG is particularly exciting. It allows you to pull out the bottom rack and lift it up, eliminating the need to bend over while loading and unloading dishes. This feature would likely rank higher if it were available in the U.S., but for now, we can only hope it makes its way here someday.
With the right features, a new dishwasher can truly exceed your expectations when it comes to helping around the house. Be sure to check out our dishwasher buying guide to learn more about what to expect for your investment, ensuring you find the perfect machine for your household.
